Orioles might need another position player

A few items from my conversation this morning with president of baseball operations Andy MacPhail, who was returning from his visit to Delmarva:

* MacPhail hadn’t intended to add any more position players to the expanded roster, but injuries to Adam Jones and Corey Patterson could force another move. Jones (back) is expected to miss at least a few more games. Patterson (neck) was available to bunt and run last night, but nothing else.

“We might have to revisit it if we think those injuries are going to be of any significant duration,” MacPhail said.

* The deadline has passed to set playoff rosters, but trades are still possible this month if a team believes that a certain player or pitcher can hoist it into the postseason. However, MacPhail doesn’t anticipate the Orioles making any moves.

“It would come as a complete surprise to me,” he said.

Camden Yards is crawling with scouts this week, but that’s common this time of the year.

“Those guys that have been doing amateur or minor league scouting save September to do their big league work,” MacPhail said. “There were no scouts at Delmarva. Generally, somebody is at a minor league game, but this time of the year, they’re at the big league games.”

* The rotation will be crowded without a trade, and with Chris Tillman’s pending arrival, but MacPhail said the team can work through it. That includes going to a six-man rotation, though not necessarily the standard variety. The names could change. The challenge, of course, is working around the three off-days this month.

“We have some guys who might have some inning issues,” MacPhail said. “We can sort of accommodate everybody and just work in the six guys or an extra guy. It doesn’t have to be a straight six-man. Some guys are sort of getting toward the end, some are strong. We’re going to have to figure out what makes the most sense and customize.”

* The next call-ups don’t all have to come from the 40-man roster.

“We can do both,” MacPhail said.

* Correction: The Orioles will learn Monday whether outfielder Lou Montanez cleared waivers, which is expected to happen. He’ll be a minor league free agent.